The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI), in reducing alcohol consumption among patients with hazardous or harmful drinking admitted in emergency department (ED). Patients aged 16 to 24 and who tested positive for blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.5g/l. or above are enrolled.

Patients receive either an information leaflet or an information leaflet plus a referral to a psychologist. BMI is provided by the psychologist. BMI consists in a first face-to-face interview (35-45 minutes) plus a telephone interview, at 1 and 2 months. Minors' parents are also invited to attend the BMI session. If necessary, patients can be referred to relevant care and treatment services for alcohol misuse.

In a simple blind, randomised controlled clinical trial of 280 patients, 140 patients are allocated to the treatment group and 140 to the control group. Randomisation is stratified according to patient's age (16-17 or 18-24). Opaque and sealed randomized envelops are used for randomisation.

Alcohol consumption is measured by self-report at 3 months. The principal criteria used to assess the reduction of alcohol use at 3 months follow-up is the number of alcoholic drinks in the last week. Other events such as ED readmission, quarrels related to alcohol, drinking and driving, sexual intercourse without protection will also be assessed. It is the first clinical trial in France comparing these two interventions among young patients in ED with this design.

The principal criteria used to assess the reduction of alcohol use at 3 months follow-up is the number of alcoholic drinks in the last week. Others indicators such as binge drinking episodes and number of days drinking per week will also be assessed.

Patients receive an information leaflet plus a referral to a psychologiste. BMI is provided by the psychologist. BMI consists in a first face-to-face interview (35-45 minutes) plus a telephone interview, at 1 and 2 months. Minors' parents are also invited to attend the BMI session.

Detailed Description:

Eligible patients are recruited by ED physicians. Staff in ED involved in the study is provided with a teaching session on the importance of alcohol misuse and inclusion procedures. Prior to enrolment, a written informed consent is requested from every patient. For patients under 18, a consent form is also requested from parent(s) or the legal tutor.

Breathalyzer test with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.5g/l or above

Ability to give consent

Parental or legal tutor's consent is requested for patients under 18

Exclusion Criteria:

Already enrolled in the study

Current ED visit for attempted suicide patients

Current ED visit for injured trauma patients

Alcohol dependence requiring hospitalisation or referral to local treatment

Current enrolment or request to enrol in substance abuse treatment program

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01435668